When Should Children Start Thinking About Braces?

Many parents think braces only begin during the teenage years, but every child develops differently.

For most children, it is helpful to start watching how the teeth and jaws are growing around age seven. However, some children may benefit from an orthodontic assessment as early as age five, especially if there are concerns with their bite, jaw growth or how their adult teeth are coming in.

Signs Your Child May Need an Earlier Check

• Difficulty biting or chewing

• Early or late loss of baby teeth

• A jaw that shifts when closing

An early assessment does not always mean your child needs braces right away. In many cases, we simply monitor their growth and wait for the right time.

When early treatment is recommended, it may help guide jaw growth, create space for adult teeth or prevent a bite problem from becoming harder to correct later.

At RM Dentistry, we assess each child based on their individual development—not just their age. During your child’s regular dental visits, we can let you know whether monitoring, early orthodontic treatment or braces may be appropriate.

What Happens During a Children's Orthodontic Assessment?

During your child's visit, the dental team may evaluate:

• Tooth eruption and available space

• The relationship between the upper and lower jaws

• Crowding, spacing and tooth position

• Overbite, underbite, crossbite or open bite

• Oral habits that may affect development

• Airway Concerns

• Sleep/Snoring

• Facial Muscle and Joint Considerations

• Your child’s oral hygiene and readiness for treatment

  
  

Dental X-rays, photographs or digital scans may be recommended when clinically appropriate to help evaluate teeth that have not yet erupted and plan the correct timing of care.

Contact RM Dentistry to book your child’s dental or orthodontic assessment.